Spark or The Importance of Exercise for Brains and Bodies

Posted on February 19, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

Good Morning, God!

As You know, MAKING time for jogging has not been easy. Well, yes, I mean I haven’t done it.

So, as part of my ongoing Personal Motivation and Management Campaign, I thought this book would provide, well, a Spark.

And at first it did. But, now I am on Chapter Five and my brain — which it is true, is in a body which has NOT been exercising — is clogged with a VAST array of 3 and 4 letter combinations each one standing for yet another chemical. WAY TOO MANY chemicals doing way too many things for me to remember, sort and organize.

However, I got the message. You have designed us to exercise! And, I suppose it is a bit like “not keeping” the Sabbath. Once we deviate from Your Plan — things start to unravel.

It isn’t just that exercise — defined as 30 minutes of having our heart rate up to 70% of normal — is important. It is essential. Our brains, emotions and bodies depend on it for normal functioning. Dr. Ratey says that in England exercise is prescribed for things like obesity, anxiety disorder, depression, etc. Here we give out a pill. Not that Dr. Ratey is against pills — it is just that exercise only has good side effects.

So, God, I am convinced. I am, really. The question is whether I will “take care” of myself and MAKE TIME — not find time — but hack out time from my WONDERFULLY FULL life. Please help me, God. This IS essential!

Hmm. You just reversed my request. It is MY job to Help You, help me. So I just put on my jogging clothes. Thanks!

Posted in asking for help for myself, authority over my life, exercising, time

The Gift of Seeing — the Gift of Being Seen

Posted on February 18, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A small green succulent in the sunlight

Good Morning, God!

This small green succulent is amazingly beautiful! I had seen it before, but yesterday I saw it in the sunlight and marveled at how it lit up. Thank You, God!

Small simple pleasures are all around us. Waiting. Waiting for us to stop and see. Or stop and listen. Or stop and taste.

Our senses are doorways to appreciation and enjoyment — marvelous gifts that enrich our lives. Yet, as Helen Keller said, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.”

I am sitting here, thinking about that. Family and friends surely fall into that category of “best.” And they have have the “beauty” that being loved brings with it. We see them with our “hearts.” And our Hearts are, perhaps, the very best “doorway” into all Your Gifts.

Last night, God, I heard a lovely presentation by Philip Rickard, the author of Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry. He actually makes many types of Hawaiian style bracelets — GOLD bracelets. But he talked about the value given to a piece of jewelry because it was once worn by someone we love or it was given to us by someone we love.

After the talk the woman next to me took off her gold Hawaiian bracelet and showed me the inscription from her mother. For a moment I felt the “tug” of wanting to give MY daughters such a gift. It was a strong tug, God.

But, then I thought of my Mom. She has given me the gift of her Time and her Love and her Attention. All, far better than gold — in truth, priceless. Thank YOU, God, for the Gifts of Love!

Posted in appreciation, Light shining through, LOVE

Our Space Station and A Change of Viewpoints

Posted on February 17, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Our International Space Station and Our Earth

Good Morning, God!

A few days ago a friend sent me a video of the timeline on the construction of the International Space Station. I watched drawings of each module zooming in to connect — but it was only “an abstraction.”

Ah, but then yesterday in SpaceDaily.com there was this photo of the Space Station with Earth in the background. Oooh! All of a sudden it was REAL to me.

Mind You, God, it has been coming together since 1998 — but, I wasn’t watching. Hmmm. Looking back at the Timeline I can see lots of Russian pieces. And even Canada has a Space Program. I say “even” Canada because her population is only around 34 million. While politicians snipe at each other, the scientists seem to be getting along rather well.

That reminds me God, of the recent story of a Palestinian scientist who got a degree from MIT and is returning to work in Israel. He said science is one of the few places where people meet as equals. I really respected him for going “home” and working in a difficult situation.

I suppose, God, that Rogers and Hammerstein had is right when they wrote “You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught” for South Pacific.

You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,
You’ve got to be carefully taught!

Looking DOWN at the International Space Station AND our small blue world I can’t help thinking WHAT IF WE DIDN’T TEACH OUR CHILDREN TO HATE? Gosh, God, what if we went even further and taught Respect? Compassion? Please Help us God!

Posted in a matter of scale, a prayer for healing, Compassion, respect

The Green of Kapiolani Park

Posted on February 16, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

The green grass of Kapiolani Park

Good Morning, God!

Yesterday it was breakfast at the Hau Tree Lanai — a lovely bit of Old Hawaii. The ocean is always a delight to be near, but it was the incredible GREEN of the grass of Kapiolani Park that lodged in my memory.

I know that Michael Pollan said a lawn is nature under totalitarian rule, but the expanse of lawn at Kapiolani Park truly is a beautiful sight. I’m thankful for such lovely public areas.

I was looking through a book entitled, Waikiki: Images of Yesteryear 2 and discovered that the park was created in 1877 with 170 acres of wetlands, inlets, gardens, stately trees and a one-mile horse-racing track. Alas, mosquitoes loved the still waters and the park was drained into the Ala Wai canal.

I suppose, God, that if I had seen the park then, I might prefer it to the expanse of lovely lawn. I think I am happier not knowing what I am missing. Regret is a funny thing, God. I am sitting here imagining what the park might have looked like with its own little Make’e island and wondering whether they had swans swimming in the waterways.

How very like us humans to be so pleased with what IS and then in just a few minutes let regret slip in as we focus on what once was. Usually, I’m like the fox in Aesop’s Fables who — when he couldn’t reach the grapes — declared that they were probably sour. I guess I prefer the fox’s attitude of “making the best of things” as opposed to longing for and regretting what is gone — or never was.

Yet, at the same time, I am learning, God, to invest some time in deep sorrow — to feel — to hear my own inner feelings. Please help me God, not to be too Fox Like.

Posted in appreciation, Feeling our feelings, Regret -- acknowledging and releasing it

Land, Sea and Sky — Voyages of Re-Becoming

Posted on February 15, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Koko Crater, Koko Head -- land sea and sky

Good Morning, God!

I am back in the work week again, God — but I don’t plan on rushing. Life is such a marvelous gift. I want to appreciate it — savor it — stare at it.

Yesterday morning the sky could only be described as “Rosy Fingered Dawn” with great beams of pink stretching out proclaiming the arrival of the New Day. That phrase, which I have heard all my life is from Homer. It is a good feeling to think that thousands of years ago the sky was like that. Meanwhile, as I didn’t have my camera, I just kept stopping, looking up and appreciating.

I’m not sure if Homer ever saw coconut palms and volcanic craters — how would he have described this incredible vista? Siting at the waters edge, looking off into the horizon where sky and sea merge, and sitting on the remains of ancient volcanos — how marvelous is that!

Surely, it would take a poet to do it justice. The phrase “Safe Harbor” springs to mind. The Mauanalua Bay is just that, a safe harbor. Dr. Arch Hart talked about how families are intended to be “safe harbors” for their members. Hmm. A Safe Harbor is not a Dry Dock, is it.

Families are called to love and shelter one another — leaving repairs and renovations in YOUR HANDS. Sad, how we try to fix one another. As I recall, God, even Jesus ASKED people, “Do you want to be well?” Being loved — as we are — provides some of the security we need to leave our “Old Selves” behind and to set out upon the voyage of re-becoming.

Aaah! We are never too old to set forth on one more journey of Becoming! Thank You, God!

Posted in appreciation, delight, LOVE, seeing

My maidenhair fern and love

Posted on February 14, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

my maidenhair fern

Good Morning, God!

I had a lovely day, yesterday. I did a pretty good job of resting — went to church with Kit, made stew for our dinner, took a nap, visited with my Mom, and rested before dinner.

And somewhere in the middle of the day I realized that Your Gifts are no less real for going Unnamed and Unnoticed.

It came to me that sometimes Your Love is like a trickle charge — sort of like the way I water my ferns. I put a few ice cubes in the pot and let the ice slowly melt and gently provide water at an easily absorbable rate. THAT was how I felt yesterday — gently watered with love.

Looking back, it was SURPRISINGLY EASY to disregard all the work lined up and waiting for me. It will get done. True, there is more than I had realized. But, somehow my priorities SHIFTED and I was able to stay in the Day, RESTING without anxieties or worries. Thank You!

Ah, now I am back in the “Six Days shall you Work” world. It’s a world I love and am comfortable in, God. But, there is a Part of Me that now knows — even when working — not to go too fast — not to disconnect myself from You and from those around me. And, once again I will need Your Help!

Please, God, help me to continue this RESTING IN YOU — even while I am in the World. Let me carry the connections of the Sabbath Day into the other six. Ah! Now THAT is a GIFT!

Posted in Rethinking, Rivers of Living Water, sabbath rest, thankfulness

Another Sabbath Day — A Question of Trust

Posted on February 13, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Bromeliads at the top of the KCC cactus garden

Good Morning, God!

This photo was taken at dusk from above the KCC cactus garden. I had no idea they had bromeliads at the top. From the bottom all I could see were cacti. Looking down was a nice change of perspective.

Today is another Sabbath Day — a Gift from You to us — if only we will stop our busyness and open it.

Hmmm. Yes, make that MY Busyness. Too busy to receive GIFTS from YOUR HAND? It sounds really dumb, doesn’t it.

But the problem is — just like at the bottom of the cactus garden — I lack perspective. I can SEE what I am busy doing. It has meaning and purpose. But, God, Your Gifts are Invisible and take Time to appear. It isn’t like at the end of today I will see what gifts You have given me during the day.

You say that is is about TRUSTING YOU! And that it will get easier as I do it, but then, life isn’t about easy, is it. God, that is NOT a really good sales pitch!

Sorry, sorry, I forgot there for a minute. You are into Commands, not marketing. But, You get my point. It is really HARD to rest and relax and play and let the work stay undone. Well, now that I see that in print, I guess it isn’t that hard. I’m back to feeling foolish that I have made being productive so important.

Yes, for some unknown reason, YOU WANT (read: COMMAND) ME TO REST today. I shouldn’t be arguing with You or complaining. I should be ENJOYING! DUH! Please help me rest today, God.

Posted in Perspective, sabbath rest, seeing

Twilight on the Marina

Posted on February 12, 2011 by a moment with god — 3 Comments

Twilight on the Hawaii Kai Marina

Good Morning, God!

This photo was taken last week just after picking up prescriptions for my mom. It was a comfort just to stand there and appreciate the tranquility. There is something so peaceful about water, God.

Today, for the first time I felt my mom was really on the mend — she noticed my earrings and beat me at scrabble. It is a big relief, God, to have her doing better.

She keeps telling me that no one lasts forever — and I keep telling her that I am too young to be an orphan. Of course, I’m NOT “too young.” But, what I am saying is true in its essence. Are any of us ever “old enough” to lose our last parent, God?

I was going to say that it’s harder for me to think about losing my Mom because she is a GOOD MOTHER — loving and affirming — with only the occasional rebuke about my being “too busy.” But, perhaps, it is even harder for women who don’t have a happy relationship with their moms? Letting people go — into Your Hands, God — is never easy. But how much harder it must be if there has been no “resolution.”

It is a reminder to tell our loved ones — over and over again — how much we love them and how much they matter. Hmmm, You remind me to watch my Tone of Voice, too, lest Extraneous Frustrations pollute my words.

Ah, such serious thoughts, but easier to contemplate because my Mom is doing better. She is getting a vitamin D pill that she takes every two weeks. The doctor expects her to look and feel better when he sees her in March. Please, God, let it be so!

Posted in a prayer for healing, appreciation, LOVE

Egypt — Prayers for A New Beginning

Posted on February 11, 2011 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

A sunrise and new day in Egypt

Good Morning, God!

Hope now has a chance! Joy and Jubilation are filling the streets of Cairo! Please, God, pour out Your Blessings and Gifts on the People of Egypt!

Is it true that half the population of Egypt — and the Middle East — are under 30? These are children of Twitter and Facebook — and I hope it is the new face of the world.

Ah, God, NOW everyone is united AGAINST Mubarak — who has AT LAST stepped down and left. Now they are united in JOY! And, The World is rejoicing WITH them!

Except, perhaps the people OVER 30 who are aware of how messy change can be — aware of how diverse and rigid the various components of society can be. Aware of how FRAGIL democracy can be. I guess that would be a part of me, God.

But, mostly I am Jubilant that Change has come to Egypt — that Hope has come to Egypt — that a Chance for a better Future has come to Egypt.

So, this morning, God, my Heartfelt Prayer is for Mutual Respect among all Egyptians — for Jobs for the unemployed, especially university graduates — for cheaper food prices — for everyone to be working together on all the economic infrastructures that are so essential to our living together in peace and security.

Hmm. I guess that prayer is for All Countries, God, not just Egypt. We all NEED Your HELP!

Posted in a prayer for healing, Ongoing Transformation, Praise, Prayer, respect

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

Posted on February 10, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Sunrise over Central Union Church

Good Morning, God!

You gave us a GLORIOUS sunrise to begin the day yesterday. Thank YOU. This morning it’s another hour before the sun rises but I just looked at photos of the Heavens taken by the Hubble Space Craft on my new StarWalk app.

Another amazing application that shows me what all is UP in the sky. I just held it up — looking East and it showed Mercury still below the horizon and Pluto and Venus up for maybe two hours and off to the Southeast. I’m going to take it on my walk this morning and admire You Creation — Your VAST Creation!

Do You think, God, that if we got to meet OTHERS (aliens, so to speak) that they might make our “differences” seem totally insignificant? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we understood how just being fellow Human Beings was an incredible BOND?

Of course, projection being what it is, we would imagine that they wanted our planet for themselves. How sad. What I would hope for was a scene from the first Star Wars film of an intergalactic bar with assorted hominids and insect-type creatures casually drinking together — taking VAST differences for granted. Could it be, just maybe, that ALL SENTIENT BEINGS have an awful lot in common?

Ah my! I have wandered off a fair bit from a glorious sunrise — off into the vastness of space. Ah, God, what I want is for You to pour out Your Spirit of Compassion upon all of us — all Creatures, Great and Small. Please!

Posted in Focus on what unites us, intentional and invited sacred space, interspecies contact